POTTSVILLE — When the undefeated Dardanelle Sand Lizards traveled to John Needham Stadium to face an undefeated Pottsville Apaches team, all bets were off. Pottsville had won 13 consecutive 4-4A Conference football games. Dardanelle’s defense had yet to allow more than 13 points in a game this season.

As it turned out, Michael Perry and the Apaches’ ground attack proved too much for the Sand Lizards, Pottsville made it 14 straight league wins, 39-10, Friday night.

“Dardanelle played hard football, hard defense. They were good, very well coached,” Pottsville head coach Bryan Rust said after the game. “I was really happy with our performance. It wasn’t our best game this year, but I credit that to Dardanelle.”

Pottsville (5-0, 2-0 4A-4 Conference) won the toss but deferred possession to start the second half. Dardanelle (4-1, 1-1) took over at the Apache 22, but was unable to gather much steam to start things off.

Pottsville’s Tyler Weaver immediately went to work on the ground and got loose on a 25-yard run to the Sand Lizard 40. Corey Campbell broke free for another 20 yards for a first down at the Dardanelle 19. Weaver added another five yards on the ground, and Campbell another four, just shy of the first down. But the Sand Lizard defense rose to the occasion and made a big stop on fourth down.

Dardanelle took over in the shadow of its own goal post. Nick Hendrix scampered 50 yards to the Pottsville 34, but four plays later, Sand Lizards quarterback Evan Carter’s pass was snatched out of the air by Perry and returned for a touchdown. The point-after kick was good, and the Apaches led 7-0 with 4:33 left in the first quarter.

Dardanelle’s offense went back to work. Carter hit Parker Witt for 9 yards. then Dalton Craig for 25 more to the Pottsville 37. Carter hit Craig again for 10 more yards, but on the next play Carter was sacked in the backfield for a loss of seven. Carter redeemed himself when he scrambled through the Apache defense for 30 yards to the Pottsville 4. After a series of penalties, however, Dardanelle was forced to settle for a field goal and pulled within 7-3 with 11:21 left in the second quarter.

It didn’t take long for the Apaches to score again. After Pottsville took over at their 47, Perry rushed 50 yards in four plays. then Campbell capped the drive with a 2-yard scurry into the end zone. The PAT was good, and the Apaches led 14-3 with 8:33 left in the first half.

Pottsville’s dominant running game and stout defense continued in the second half. Perry opened things up three plays into the third quarter, when he got free on a 45-yard run for an Apache TD. The PAT was no good, but Pottsville led 20-3.

On the ensuing kickoff, Pottsville elected to go for, and recovered, an onside kick.

“It was one of those things where we didn’t want to kick it too deep,” Rust said. “They’ve got some guys back there who can really return the ball. We’d rather give them decent field position than have them run it back for a score.”

The Apaches needed three plays to cover 40 yards for the score. Campbell crossed the goal line, and the Apaches led 26-3.

Dardanelle’s offense was virtually silent for the remainder of the game. The Apaches knew going into the game they were going to have to shut down the Sand Lizard passing game and they did just that, Rust pointed out.

Two possessions later Pottsville took over at its 34. Campbell and Weaver each rushed for 10 yards. and Hunter Daniel added another three. Perry broke free again on the next play, this time for 44 yards and a touchdown. The PAT was good, and the Apaches led 32-3.

Pottsville worked down the field and with 2:26 left in the game, Michah Piker scored the Apaches’ final touchdown. Pottsville led 39-3 after the PAT sailed through the uprights.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dardanelle showed the crowd exactly why Rust had elected to go for the onside kick earlier in the game. T.J. Tucker busted through the defense and raced 86 yards for a Sand Lizards touchdown. Dardanelle set the final score at 39-10 after the PAT.

Pottsville travels to Mena next week, while Dardanelle will host Booneville.